My free story of the month is Grounding a Mockingbird
The Vagaries of Selling Stories…
Selling a story to a market can be rather hit and miss. I’ve written stories that have taken years to find a market.
Sometimes, though, you write a story and it sells right away. I’m generally happy to find a home for a story in an anthology once a year.
In February, I went to the annual Superstars Writing Seminar, something I love doing for all the networking and ideas writers of sci fi and fantasy need.
The seminar announces a charitable anthology creating scholarships for the conference every year. I don’t alway submit a story. This year, I heard the theme and knew exactly the story I needed to write (not wanted, needed). I wrote the first draft at the airport on the way home—and the story was accepted.
I’ve been trying to get a story into one of these anthologies for over 10 years. So I'm more than delighted. Most of the others I've have found homes in other anthologies over time. Several are still awaiting their day.
After the conference, I learned of another anthology call. It had a really fun theme and I kind of laughed and wrote an amusing story. I got an acceptance letter within two months.
As to the vagaries of selling stories. The contract for the Superstars anthology came quickly. The second story, however, which is to a good paying market, I didn’t hear anything from until this week. That was concerning because contracts normally follow acceptance fairly quickly.
I've learned that the editor/publisher has had a medical setback and sent out an email explaining the anthology is going to be delayed. In fact, they are warning that there’s a chance the anthology won’t be published. However, they would like to send out contracts anyway. If the book does not happen, with a signed contract, promised payment would still be made by a specific date.
Now the positives. That story was accepted, I sign and get paid whether it is published or not. To me, I also feel that the anthology will offer the editor/publisher an added incentive to succeed and know I’ve got their back.
The editor shared some details that makes me feel that if this anthology does get published, their friends in the business will do their best to see it happens too.
Anything can happen, though—and I really love the story I wrote. So I want to give the editor that believes in that story whatever support I can, too.
That’s this business—and we all need help from time to time, so I’m sticking with this one. Oh, and sending my good vibes and prayers won’t hurt either. Keep that in mind should you decide to ever write and seek publication too. Things happen, but something's also need their chance. You never know.
Now as to my free story this month…. My novella, Grounding a Mockingbird, is set in that urban fantasy world of my Bred in Captivity novels, Lessers Not Losers and Children of a Lesser Dragon. Grounding a Mockingbird is featured this month in the promo, Scifi Fantasy, where you can find a lot more free stories to help enjoy the summer!
Dare 2 Believe,
D.H.
